I don’t consume narcotics: Karan Johar slams ‘malicious’ campaign

MUMBAI: Filmmaker Karan Johar issued a statement debunking media reports alleging that narcotics were consumed at one of his house parties, calling the claims “baseless and false”.

In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram, the filmmaker said neither he consumes narcotics nor does he promote usage of any such substance.

Karan Johar’s response came after an old video from a star-studded party at his residence resurfaced on social media, amid Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) drugs probe in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.

In the short clip posted by the filmmaker last year, actors Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Vicky Kaushal among others can be seen partying together. It is being alleged that drugs were consumed by several top film personalities at this party.

The statement said that certain news channels and social media platforms are wrongly and misleadingly reporting that narcotics were consumed at a party he hosted on July 28, 2019 at his residence.

“I had already clarified my position way back in 2019 that the allegations were false,” Johar said in the statement. “In view of current malicious campaign, I am reiterating that the allegations are completely false and baseless.”

“No narcotics substance were consumed at the party. I would like to unequivocally once again state that I do not consume Narcotics and I do not promote or encourage consumption of any such substance,” he added.

The director said such “slanderous” statements and news articles have subjected him, his family, colleagues, and his entertainment banner to “hatred, contempt and ridicule”.

Johar said in the past few days media has resorted to “distasteful, distorted and false allegations”, and if the baseless claims continue to malign his image, he wouldn’t be left with any other option but to legally protect his rights.

Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone and Sara Ali Khan, who have been summoned by the NCB in a drug case related to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, arrived in the city from Goa. The NCB has now widened its investigation and called film celebrities for questioning.

Sara Ali Khan is set to appear before the NCB on Saturday, along with Deepika Padukone and Shraddha Kapoor. Actor Rakul Preet Singh and Padukone’s manager Karishma Prakash were summoned on Friday.

Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead on 14th June. His death has sparked a lot of controversy in the media and the case is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Actress Rhea Chakraborty, who has been accused of abetting Rajput’s suicide by his family, has been arrested in the drugs case linked to his death.